DVD Review: The Gruffalo

Directed by Jakob Schuh & Max Lang.

Featuring the voices of Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Robbie Coltrane, James Corden, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson.

Distributed by NCircle Entertainment, 2009.

What would happen if something you invented was real? That's what happens in this delightful film based on the picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Two squirrels beg their mother to tell them a story about monsters, so their mother begins her tale with "a mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood..." Mouse is looking for a nut, but along the way he comes face to face with fox, owl and snake - they are hungry and they want to eat mouse for lunch! Mouse is a smart one and he scares each animal away by inventing a terrible monster, a Gruffalo. But, what happens when mouse encounters his creation?? Will he outwit him too?

This film is a joy to watch! The animation is delightful - the animals are realistically portrayed but with a softness that matches the original illustrations in the book. Despite the threat of being eaten for lunch, this is a gentle story that is perfect for preschoolers and older children. I can't wait to share this in storytime! If you are looking for a book-based movie, I highly recommend this - also check out the book and discuss the differences and similiaries between the two formats. Happy viewing!

Preschool Storytime: Apples and Pumpkins

Last week marked the beginning of storytimes for the Fall! After taking a four week hiatus after the summer, I was ready to get back into the swing of things. A change of season was just the thing, so last week's theme was apples and pumpkins - my two favorite Fall foods!

OPENING SONG: "We're All Here for Storytime"

(sung to the tune of "London Bridges")

We're all here for storytime,
Storytime, storytime. (Children slap thighs to the beat.)
We're all here for storytime,
Let's get ready.
Can you turn your ears up high, (Turn earlobe upward.)
Ears up high, ears up high?
Can you turn your ears up high,

So you can hear?
Can you turn your mouth down low, (Pretend to button lips.)
Mouth down low, mouth down low?
Can you turn your mouth down low?
Now let's read!

(Source: Simply Super Storytimes: Programming Ideas for Ages 3-6 by Marie Castellano. UpstartBooks, 2003.)

ACTION RHYME: I Have Ten Little Fingers

I have ten little fingers,
And they all belong to me. (Hold up both hands)
I can make them do things,
Would you like to see? (Wiggle fingers)
I can shut them up tight, (Make a fist)
I can open them wide, (Spread fingers out)
I can lock them together, (Clasp hands together)
I can make them all hide. (Put hands behind back)
I can dance my fingers way up high, (Raise hands over head)
I can dance my fingers way down low, (Lower hands to the ground)

I can fold my fingers together and put them just so. (Fold hands in lap)

BOOK: Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins

This counting story about farm animals each taking an apple off the farmer's apple tree was a big hit! The children loved making the different animal noises, and the rhyming, repetitious text was a perfect read aloud.

FELT RHYME/FINGERPLAY: Five Little Apples
When cleaning out the craft closet, I came across these big apples cut out of felt. I made leaves for each apple and -PRESTO- an instant felt board rhyme!



Five little apples, I wish there were more,
I (or the name of a child) just picked one,
And now there are four.
Four little apples hanging on a tree,
I (or the name of a child) just picked one,
And now there are three.
Three little apples, only a few,
I (or the name of a child) just picked one,
And now there are two.
Two little apples hanging in the sun,
I (or the name of a child) just picked one,
And now there is one.
One little apple, pick it and run,
I (or the name of a child) just did that,
And now there are none!

BOOK: Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington
This simple story about Jamie and his pumpkin seed was great for storytime! Children enjoyed watching the different growth stages of the pumpkin (and pointing out the animals on each page).



FELT RHYME/FINGERPLAY: Five Little Pumpkins
I traditionally use this rhyme in my Halloween storytime, but it's perfect for a pumpkin themed storytime!

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "My it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There's a chill in the air!"
The third one said, "But we don't care!"
The fourth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"
The fifth one said, "Let's run, run, run!"
Then oooooo went the wind and out (clap hands) went the lights,
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

ACTION SONG: "Pumpkin, Pumpkin"
(sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")

Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground (crouch down)
How'd you get so big and round? (stretch arms out wide and make a circle)
Planted as a seed so small (pretend to hold a seed)
Now you are a great big ball! (make a huge circle with arms)
Pumpkin, pumpkin on the ground
How'd you get so big and round?

(Source: DLTK website)

BOOK: Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington
This is a great story for toddlers and preschoolers. Simple text and cute illustrations make this a fun fall read - and a trip to the apple orchard will be in your future!



FINGERPLAY: Way Up High in the Apple Tree
This is one of my favorite rhymes from my childhood, and I enjoy sharing it with the toddlers and preschoolers.

Way up high in the apple tree, (stretch arms above head)
Two little apples smiled at me. (hold up two fingers and make smile face)
I shook that tree as hard as I could, (pretend to shake tree)
Down came the apples, (wiggle hands down)
Mmmm....they were good! (rub stomach)

CLOSING SONG: "Where is Thumbkin?"
Where is thumbkin, where is thumbkin?
Here I am! Here I am!
Did you like our stories? Yes, I liked our stories! (have thumbs "talk" to each other)
Time to go, hide away. (hide thumbs behind your back)
Where are all of you? Where are all of you?
Here we are! Here we are! (bring one hand out from behind your back at a time)
Can you wave goodbye now? Yes, I'll wave goodbye now! (wave hands)
Bye, bye, bye! Bye, bye, bye!

(Source: Simply Super Storytimes: Programming Ideas for Ages 3-6 by Marie Castellano. UpstartBooks, 2003.)

CRAFT: Apple Tree (from All Kids Network)
So simple! I have TONS of toilet paper rolls and was looking for a craft in which to offload some of my stash. Voila - apple tree! To eliminate the mess, I pre-cut the tree shape out of green construction paper, instead of having them paint the paper green. The kids had a blast!

Page By Paige

By Laura Lee Gulledge. New York: Amulet Books, 2011.

Paige has just moved from Virginia to New York City. She is feeling a little lost - she misses Virginia, she is trying to get used to a new city, and she doesn't know where she fits in. Trying to adjust to her new life, Paige decides to pick up a sketchbook and tell her life. This coming of age story details Paige's journey to come out of her shell, as well as discovering who she is and deciphering her inner-most thoughts and feelings. She begins to make friends and goes out in the city, and in doing so, she finds herself and tries to put herself out there more than she ever did in the past.

This diary-graphic novel format works really well, allowing the reader to see into Paige's head. The drawings are very detailed and really represent her feelings. I think teens will relate to this story, as they struggle with discovering themselves and figuring out where they "fit in." I related to Paige and her shyness; the fear of putting yourself out there and not being accepted, but also not wanting to hide your true self. Paige is very real and her journey will resound with many teens.

Fallen Grace

By Mary Hooper. New York: Bloomsbury, 2010.

The year is 1861 in London, England. Grace Parkes is fifteen years old and lives with her older sister Lily. Orphaned at a young age, they live a life of extreme hardship. Each day, they struggle to earn money selling watercress just to buy food to eat. On top of that, even though Lily is older, she possesses the mind of a child, so Grace must care for her for the rest of her life. While living at a training establishment where she was to learn to be a teacher, Grace is abused by a benefactor, and becomes pregnant. Unfortunately, the baby boy dies in childbirth, and Grace is heartbroken. She takes him to Brookwood Cemetery, so he can have a proper burial.

While at Brookwood, Grace meets two people who will play important parts in her life. One is James Solent, a legal clerk, who offers to help Grace if she ever needs assistance. The second is Mrs. Unwin, who runs a funeral business along with her husband. She offers Grace the position of being a "mute" at funerals, but Grace is appalled with the idea, and turns her down. After discovering the boarding house they live in is to be torn down, they are homeless with nowhere to go. Desperate for employment and a roof over their heads, Grace goes to Mrs. Unwin, who takes both sisters on. Unbeknowst to Grace, the Unwins have an ulterior motive for taking in the Parkes' sisters. Grace and Lily are the recipients of a large inheritance left by their father, who died in America, but they have no knowledge of this. The Unwins have an evil plan to steal the girls' inheritance, but will Grace find out about this in time? Will she be able to secure a safe, rich future for herself and Lily?

This novel is rich in historical details, and the storytelling is captivating. I didn't think I could endure reading any more heartbreaking trials these sisters had to endure, but Grace's strength gave me hope this story would end happily. A beautiful story of survival, determination and perseverance, this is a wonderful read.

Karma

By Cathy Ostlere. New York: Razorbill, 2011.

Karma is a magnificent book that must be read! Told in free verse and using a diary format, I was immediately drawn to this story from the first page, and couldn't put it down! This story takes place in 1984. Maya is 15 years old. She is half-Hindu and half-Sikh and living in Canada with her parents. After her mother's suicide, she and her father travel from Canada to New Delhi, India with her mother's ashes. It is October 31, and Indira Gandhi is assassinated, and Maya and her father find themselves stuck in a turbulent, dangerous setting. Maya becomes separated from her father, and decides to get on a train to escape the danger. Heading north, Maya witnesses an act so terrible and brutal, she becomes mute, extremely traumatized by her experience. She is "rescued" by Parvati, a doctor, who sends Maya to her family's home. There, she meets Parvati's brother, Sandeep, who falls in love with Maya, and tries to coax her out of her sadness and get her to speak. Maya and Sandeep go on a journey to see if they can locate Maya's father, and so karma comes in to the story. I'll leave it at that, so I don't give anything away.

This story is so powerful, and the use of free verse allows the reader an intimate look into the characters. I really loved the use of a diary as the format. It pulled me into the lives of Maya and Sandeep in a way that I don't think a traditional narrative would. Combined with historical events, and rich cultural details, this is an epic story! I highly recommend this heart-wrenching, beautiful story of journey and self-discovery. You won't be disappointed!

Between Shades of Gray

By Ruta Sepetys. New York: Philomel Books, 2011.

Let me say, this story is not a pretty one. Yet, it is beautifully written. Based on true events and the author's family experience, this book needs to be read. It's 1941, and fifteen year old Lina lives a comfortable life in Lithuania. A talented artist, she is looking forward to going to art school. One night, Soviet guards invade her home, taking Lina, her mother and her younger brother onto a packed train with other deportees, off to a labor camp in Siberia. Her father has been separated from them, and he is being taken to a prison camp, where he is sentenced to death. This story unflinchingly tells the horrors Lithuanians and others endured on the train, and also during their time in Siberia. Lina and her family are then taken further into nothingness towards the North Pole to another labor camp. Lina and her family struggle to survive with nothing more than hope they will be returned to Lithuania and the love they have for each other.

I found this extremely disturbing to read, but it is so well written, that I was compelled to continue the journey with Lina. I didn't remember this part of World War II history, and it was disturbing to read the atrocities the Soviet soldiers inflicted on people during their "cleansing" of the Baltic region. I think the cover image captures the disparity between the "ugliness" of the story (barbed wire surround the border) and the beauty of the writing and ultimate hope towards the end of the story (a lone green plant growing out of the stark cold of the snow). I highly recommend this haunting book. It will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Are You Awake?

By Sophie Blackall. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2011.

It's the middle of the night. It's dark. All of a sudden a little voice says "Mom? Mom?" I'm sure moms and dads throughout the years have been woken up by their little one who can't sleep. The same is true in this delightful story. Edward can't go to sleep, so he wakes his mom up and starts with a question: "Are you awake?" After his sleepy mom says "No," he asks "Why aren't you awake?" Mom matter-of-factly answers "Because I'm asleep." And so begins a long series of questions and answers until the sun comes up and Edward finally falls asleep just as his father (who is a pilot) returns home. The story ends with Edward asking his sleeping father "Dad? Dad? Are you awake?"

This book is a joy to read! The questions and answers demonstrate the curiousness of children and the resigned parent who must try to answer them while still being half-asleep. What also makes this book wonderful are the illustrations. They are soft, conveying the bedtime setting, but I love how Edward's eyes are made bright against the greyness of the night setting, reflecting his inner curiosity and surprising alertness at 4am! As the night passes are morning sun comes out, the pages get brighter. Such a brilliant book! This is perfect for sharing one-on-one.